The hunting of male mountain lions in western Montana hunting districts 280, 281, 284 and 293 & portion of 298 east of State Route 141, which includes portions of Powell and Lewis & Clark counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tues, Dec. 31, 2013.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will hold a northwest Montana meeting on the 2014-2015 hunting regulation proposals at the Red Lion Hotel, Kalispell Center Mall, on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014. Other informational meetings are scheduled in other towns around the Region, but this is the main hearing for collecting public comment from hunters across Region One.

The 40th annual Smith Lake Ice Fishing Derby held west of Kalispell on Saturday, December 28 attracted over 400 anglers, with youngsters composing the biggest part of the crowd. The event is put on by the Sunriser Lions Club as a public service to the community and as a way to make a modest amount of money to donate to family fishing pond programs. Anglers also donated some pike to the Hooked on Fishing program for dissection exercises. The Lions operated a food stand offering hamburgers, chili, and other items.